How to Repair a Scratch on Hardwood Floor
Wood floors add elegance and warmth to homes, but they can also suffer from damage – especially scratches. Things like pet stains, dragging furniture around, or a lack of proper floor care can all cause scratches.
While it's always best to get professional help if your floors have serious damage, you can take some steps to repair the scratches yourself. These DIY remedies can be applied to a variety of hardwood floors, including water-based, oil or wax-based, varnished, and stained finishes.
Sand the Scratches
Scratches on hardwood floors can be a real eyesore. They can be a result of normal wear and tear, like kids playing with toys or pets running around.
There are a few simple ways to repair scratches on your wood floor that won’t break your budget. One is to use a color matching fine tip permanent marker or wood stain pens and blending sticks that hide scratches easily.
Another way to repair small and minor blemishes is to mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and olive oil in a cup and dab the solution into the scratches. Let the mixture sit for about a day, then rub it off with a clean cloth.
A more permanent solution is to fill the scratch with a wood filler that matches the original floor stain. Apply it and let it dry before buffing it with a wax stick to make the repair blend in with your floor’s finish.
Fill the Scratches
When you have a wood floor, it's inevitable that scratches will pop up from time to time. It's natural for your kids and pets to play on the floors, or even for heavy furniture to move around over time.
Fortunately, there are ways to repair scratches on hardwood floors that won't ruin your original finish. Start by carefully cleaning the scratched area with a good wood floor cleaner to remove all traces of dirt and debris.
Next, rub the surface of the scratch with a fine steel wool pad to remove the marks. Only lightly rub the damaged area, and make sure to go with the grain of the wood.
If the scratches aren't too deep and only affect a small area, use a blending pencil to fill in the marks and color them. Pick a blending pencil that matches the original finish as closely as possible.
If the scratches are deeper than surface level, you may need to fill them with wood filler and stain the patch. Once dry, sand down the filler and apply a varnish to match the existing floor finish.
Stain the Scratches
If the scratch is small, you can try filling it in with a wood filler that matches the floor color. You can also stain the scratches to hide their appearance.
Using a stain that matches the existing color is often the best option. You can find many types of stain in any hardware store, including Minwax.
When choosing a stain, always test it on an inconspicuous spot first. This will ensure that the new stain blends into the existing floor.
For smaller scratches, apply a light coat of stain to the scratch and let it dry completely. Then, you can apply a coat of polyurethane over it to make the repair blend into the rest of the floor.
For medium to deep scratches, sand the scratched area. Then, apply a lighter stain or touch-up pen that matches the wood color. You can use a lamb's wool applicator for this step, which avoids air bubbles in the finish.
Polish the Scratches
Scratches on hardwood floors can be caused by anything from high-heels to dog claws. They can even be caused by a small bit of dirt or grit that has become embedded in the wood.
The good news is that many of these scratches aren't serious enough to require a complete refinishing job. In fact, you may be able to repair some of them by using simple DIY methods.
First, clean the area thoroughly with a floor cleaner to remove all traces of dust and dirt. Next, wipe it down with a lint-free cloth.
After that, take a steel wool, like a Brillo pad, and rub it over the scratched area. Be sure to rub it carefully with the grain direction of the wood so that it's evenly distributed.
Then, buff the scratch until it's smooth and blended in with the rest of the flooring. Be careful not to overdo this step, as it can make the mark more visible.
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Wood floors add elegance and warmth to homes, but they can also suffer from damage – especially scratches. Things like pet stains, dragging furniture around, or a lack of proper floor care can all cause scratches. While it's always best to get professional help if your floors have serious damage, you can take some steps…